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After record number of air quality alerts, even more hazy days expected

In 2023, Minnesota saw more air quality alerts covering more days than ever before. Smoke from Canadian wildfires throughout the summer caused many of the alerts, though climate change is playing a growing role in Minnesota's air quality.

School lunch boxes become opportunity for waste education

Three members of MN GreenCorps worked through the Minneapolis Public Schools' free meal box program to promote waste reduction and recycling.

Saint Paul | Selby Avenue and Grotto Street

Elevated levels of tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene have been found in soil vapor around this site in St. Paul.

Volunteer water monitoring program celebrates 50 years

This long-term data gathering initiative helps track trends in water bodies around the state. The MPCA is grateful for every volunteer who has dedicated time to monitoring their favorite lake or stream.

Making water protection a priority both in the classroom and in retirement

We Are Water MN travels to Chisago County, where Dawn White has served as an educator and policy team member focused on preserving waters.

Climate Technical Assistance Program

The MPCA provides climate change technical assistance to Minnesotan, including one-on-one consultation or small group facilitation, to assess current capacity, build on strengths, and address underlying needs.

Harmful algae blooms: Water recreation advisories

Guidance and recommendations for local officials dealing with public health issues related to blue-green algae.

Northwest Minnesota leads the effort to clean up ice fishing

Keep It Clean focuses on the growing problem of garbage and human waste left on the ice by anglers and other visitors during ice fishing season.

2024 WRAP-up: MPCA scientists update research used to keep our waters clean

This feature summarizes findings from four WRAPS reports in 2024: Root River, Mississippi River-St. Cloud, Pomme de Terre River, and Mississippi River-Lake Pepin Tributaries.

Wastewater permit forms

Application forms and instructions for applying for wastewater permits.

A 'learning year' begins for Minnesota’s new boat wrap stewardship program

Minnesota is the first state to require producers fund boat wrap collection and recycling.

PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of human-made chemicals that do not break down over time. PFAS are sometimes called “forever chemicals” due to their extreme…

City of Emmons fined $10,570 for wastewater violations

MPCA investigation shows the city violated its wastewater permit in Freeborn County from April 2021 to April 2023.

Cannabis businesses

Information for cannabis growers and processors to understand environmental regulations and permits that may apply to their businesses.

Electronics collectors

An electronics collector is a public or private entity that receives electronic devices from households and arranges for the delivery of the devices to a recycler. In Minnesota, electronics…

Lake Superior water quality monitoring

Image Although Minnesota is rich in lakes and streams, Lake Superior is easily the most spectacular waterbody in Minnesota. Despite its immense size…

MPCA targets PFAS in draft wastewater permit for 3M’s Cottage Grove facility

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)’s draft wastewater permit for the 3M facility at Cottage Grove adds new water quality protections for the Mississippi River and improves accountability through monitoring and reporting requirements. The draft permit is one of the most rigorous in state history and mandates the removal of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to levels below detection.